BAR appeal date set

The software-controlled device was designed to ensure better braking on the BAR 006, and reduce the risk of locking-up, but rival teams spotted the addition on the team's spare car at Hockenheim on Friday and notified the FIA. Stewards subsequently inspected the car and banned the device from being raced on Sunday.

The device, known as the Front Torque Transfer (FTT) system, is designed to shift torque loads between the wheels during braking to prevent the tyres from locking up. The overall effect would be a reduction in lap times and an improvement in consistency over long runs.

Following its ban on Friday, team boss David Richards and technical chief Geoff Willis demanded clarification of the grounds on which it was deemed illegal.

"We are not going to debate this in public," Richards told Autosport magazine, "but it is something we want clarification on in certain areas, because the consequences of what has been suggested has other implications. We want to handle it through the channels of the FIA now and get a clearer picture on the situation.

"If an interpretation or a judgement on that is taken literally it has enormous consequences on other areas of the car, and I think that hasn't been though through. I hope we can sort this out for Hungary. That is my objective."

It added to a weekend of disappointment for the team that weekend following the demotion of Jenson Button to 13th on the grid after his engine was changed on Friday. The Briton scythed his way through the pack though and finished second behind Ferrari's Michael Schumacher.

A decision from the FIA is expected on Tuesday August 10.